Betting on His Bride

We end up exchanging numbers before we have to part ways. Both of us have another class today in opposite directions.

My next class drags by because all I can think about is River showing up. Or am I supposed to go up to his place? Is he really going to try and kiss me? Pin me to something? I press my thighs together at that thought. Until another thought enters my mind and kills my buzz.

Have he and Lisa ever hooked up? One question after another pops into my head. It’s exhausting, and I don’t catch half of what my professor says. Thankfully, all of his classes are recorded, and I can watch them again online if I need to.

As I make my way back to my building, I’m a ball of anxiety. One thought after another enters my head. I obsess over if he’s really going to kiss me and if he’s kissed the girl next door.

Which is ironic, because Lisa doesn’t seem so innocent. She’s more like the homecoming queen next door. How many girls has he kissed? Would he compare me to all of them?

I swear my thoughts conjure her out of thin air. When I get to the top of the stairs on my floor, the elevator doors open, and there Lisa is. Her eyes narrow on me, and it must be a miracle. She can suddenly see me, so I guess she’s gone from pretending I don’t exist to hating me. Lovely.

Pretending I don’t notice her, I turn my attention to my bag to find my keys. I see her heels pass by in the corner of my eye. How the heck does she wear those all day? That’s some superpower stuff right there.

“River?” she suddenly says.

Is she asking me about him? I lift my head to actually see River leaning up against my door. He smiles as he pushes away from it and starts walking toward me. Well, I guess toward Lisa too since she's now in front of me.

“I knew you’d change your mind,” she says.

“I didn’t.” He sidesteps her, still coming toward me with a look of determination on his face.

“I thought we were meeting tonight?” I ask as he comes closer, not slowing down.

“Couldn’t wait.” His hand comes out, slipping to the back of my neck to grip me there. “Couldn't wait one more second.” He pulls me toward him as he brings his mouth down on mine.

Everything stops, and there are no more rushing thoughts or questions. There is only River.